Celebrating craftsmanship: it’s time for World Class Fine Drinking Athens!

June 5, 2018

If you’re lucky enough to be in Athens from around 7th June and that particular date isn’t already in your diary then we suggest you add it right now. That’s the day that World Class Fine Drinking returns for the third time to Athens and this year it’s all about celebrating the world of Craftsmanship.

Over three days visitors will discover premium spirits and taste cocktail creations from the best in Athenian bartending talent. It’s also a chance to discover unique creations from renowned artists, chefs, designers and many more. It all takes place across two floors, with seven spectacular pop-ups in a beautiful neo-classical building.

And if that isn’t enough for you it’s followed by a range of exciting menus, unique collaborations and exceptional crafted cocktails at 40 outstanding bars across Athens from 10th to 21st June.

Seven uniques experiences

Exceptional craftsmanship is at the heart of all the premium spirits featured at World Class Fine Drinking Athens, it’s also the inspiration for a series of totally immersive experiences.

First up, why not visit a stunning street art mural, created by renowned graffiti artist mister.achilles? Here you’ll be taken to a modern Mexican fiesta and into the world and culture of Don Julio Tequila. If a beautiful garden is your thing then head over to the sublime botanical space curated by leading florist Emi Drizou. Explore plantlife in a whole new way along with the refreshing character of Tanqueray No. Ten Gin.

Designer Spiros Kontakis will be bringing to life some delightful warm and hospitable moments inspired by the Scottish Speyside home of Cardhu Single Malt Whisky. And then there’s chocolate in the shape of a stunning sculpture, handcrafted by legendary pastry chef Stelios Parliaros, and deliciously paired with Zacapa Solera 23 Rum.

Enjoy the elegant and exclusive designs on show created by fashion designer Stelios Koudounaris as you enjoy a glass of the equally elegant CÎROC vodka. Step into a world of colours and textures, realised by digital art graphic designer Nikos Tsimouris and director Giannis Mikros, as you follow the iconic striding man of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Whisky.

Round up your experiences with a visit to the single malt whiskies bar, where you’ll enjoy urban craftsmanship through an original photographic exhibition showcasing the work of top Greek tailor Vassilis Bourtsalas.

Capturing the moment at World Class Fine Drinking Athens 2017

Three very special events

As well as the pop-ups there are some very special events too, featuring outstanding talent from both local Greek and international bartenders.

On the 7th June the World Class bar will be taken over by five Greek World Class Winners. We’re talking the best of the best in Greece: Panos Kanatsoulis (2017), Alexis Simonidis (2016), Manolis Lykiardopoulos (2015), Thodoris Pyrillos (2013) and Vassilis Kyritsis (2012). These are the bartenders who will take you on an extraordinary journey into the world behind the premium art of fine drinking.

The 8th June sees the World Class bar hosting the team behind Manhattan Bar, Singapore. Ranked 7th in the prestigious 50 World’s Best Bars List, they’ll be taking you on a tour of knowledge, inspiration and flavour tasting through their unique and delicious cocktails.

Day three sees a meeting of two very different worlds. World Class Winners Aristotelis Papadopoulos (World Class Winner 2009) and David Rios (World Class Winner 2013) will each be preparing two bespoke serves. Moreover, they will be paired with cuisine creations from Michelin awarded chefs, Nikos Karathanos (Cookoovaya) and Asterios Koustoudis (Hotel Grand Bretagne). Expect a delicious sensory experience like no other.

Shaking and serving at World Class Fine Drinking Athens 2017

Plus 40 World Class Fine Drinking bars across the city

Fine Drinking doesn’t stop on 9th June though. From the 10th to the 21st of June, World Class Fine Drinking Athens moves out right across the top bars of Athens. Look out for special menus and unique happenings, including a chocolate fountain and blooming botanical gardens, while the Don Julio Tequila truck will be visiting the World Class bars offering a series of super surprising moments.

Your essential Fine Drinking Athens bars checklist:

7 Jokers

42 Barstronomy

A for Athens

Balthazar

Barreldier

Beauty Killed The Beast

Bel Ray

Blends

Bookali

Brokies

Cityzen

Coyoacan

CV Distiller

Dizzy Mo

Dodo’s

Drunk Sinatra

Electra Metropolis Athens

Faust

Feedel

Fouar Summer

El Rey Alobar

Grande Bretagne

Hide & Seek

Holy Garden

Juan Rodriguez

Kuko’s

Monk

Mosaïko

Noel

Pairidaeza

Paliatsos

Recipe

Rockfellas

Tailor Made

Tall’s Toy

The Bank Job

Theory

Upupa Epops

Zambri

Zurbarán Athens

How to enjoy World Class Fine Drinking Athens

So how do you get involved? Simple, you can gain admission to all three days for just 10€, with the World Class Fine Drinking Athens bracelet, available at the main building, 23 Akadimias str. This extraordinary piece of arm candy gives you entry to the pop-up bars for all three days, including two signature drinks of your own choice. It also allows you to enjoy unique signature drinks at a special price in all 40 of the participating World Class Fine Drinking Athens bars until 21st June.

World Class Fine Drinking Athens, 7th to 9th June, 23 Akadimias str. Athens. Pre-book tickets at eventora.com. Admission is strictly allowed only to people 18 years or over. For more information on World Class Fine Drinking Athens, visit the World Class Greece Facebook page: facebook.com/worldclassgreece/

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